Running back Demetric Felton #10 of the UCLA Bruins runs for a 75 yard first down against the Oregon State Beavers in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Pasadena, California. Oregon State Beavers won 48-31. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

LOS ANGELES — Demetric Felton has never experienced a winning season as a part of the UCLA football team.

Felton will be a redshirt senior in the fall in his fifth season as a Bruin after deciding not to enter the NFL draft. He knew he had more to improve and knew there was more to the Bruins.

While the team is just one day into spring practice, he already knows he made the right decision. This year’s team feels different.

“We just really want to succeed and do better and improve this year,” the running back said. “We always feel that way after each offseason, but I can really feel it this year. … I feel it in the locker room. I feel it even when we’re away from football. When we’re all together, we keep on talking about just ways we want to improve and how we want to be better.”

UCLA opened its 2020 spring practices Tuesday morning at Spaulding Field with a few key highlights that may just point to this difference being present.

According to a spokesperson, 99 players are set to participate in spring camp this year. That depth not only provides players more rest between drills, it shows growth and buy-in of coach Chip Kelly’s vision for the program. The group is the largest Kelly has had for a UCLA spring session in three years.

“It’s better to have more guys out here,” Felton said. “Just being able to get more of the team accumulated to what we have to do in the spring rather than jumping in after June.”

The Bruins’ new defensive line coach, Johnny Nansen, whose hire was made official Monday, was fully involved in Tuesday’s practice. The former longtime USC assistant spent time working with the offensive and defensive line units.

“I like his energy, I like his passion,” defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa said. “He brings juice to the D-line, just adds to the vibe. I like that guy a lot and the drills that we’re doing are pretty good as well.”

Odighizuwa, who will be a redshirt senior, added he wasn’t bothered by his new coach coming from UCLA’s crosstown rival.

“He might have been an ‘SC guy, but he’s over here. Fours Up!” he joked.

In his final spring training as a Bruin, Odighizuwa said he also notes the different mentality Felton feels around this year’s team.

“This is my last go-around, so I want to get it done, I want to finish out strong,” Odighizuwa said. “Guys on the team, we’ve been working hard, everyone’s more positive, you know, and we’re just bringing some good vibes. Good, positive vibes.”

Notes

To-be junior Atonio Mafi has moved from the defensive line to the offensive line group. Mafi has played all 24 games, with 14 starts, in his two-year Bruin career while playing defense. …

Three players looked to be participating in cardio drills and riding the stationary bike off to the side of practice throughout Tuesday morning: running back Martell Irby, receiver Ashton Authement and running back Sitiveni Kaufusi. …

Just two players seemed to rotate through tight end responsibilities Tuesday: Greg Dulcich and Michael Churich. Dulcich played in 11 games in 2019 as either a reserve receiver or on special teams. Churich has yet to make a game appearance. …

The Bruins will continue spring practice this week with their next session at 8 a.m. Thursday at Spaulding Field.

Maggie Vanoni covers all things UCLA athletics for the Southern California News Group. She has worked all along the West Coast, including interning at the Seattle Times and working at numerous papers in Oregon such as The Oregonian and The Register-Guard (Eugene). Outside of covering sports, she enjoys going on accidental adventures, laughing at Dad jokes and funny animal videos, trying new things and, of course, spending time with her family in Portland.

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